Today's Buzz: Should taxpayers bankroll stadiums?

Wednesday's Buzz: Should taxpayers bankroll stadiums?

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(George Skene, Orlando Sentinel )

February 27, 2013|Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board

The Orlando City Council paid $4 million this week for four pieces of property that could become the site of a new downtown stadium for the Orlando City Soccer Club. The minor league team has been playing games at the Citrus Bowl since 2011, which is now scheduled to undergo a $175 million renovation, but club executives say they must have a soccer-only stadium to meet their goal of moving up to become an expansion franchise in Major League Soccer. Club executives have proposed a $110 million stadium that would be built with $80 million in public land and tax subsidies; the team would cover the balance. Should local and state officials commit the tax dollars that the team wants? What if the team will leave Orlando if officials reject the deal? Do you think Orlando City would be a successful major league franchise? Are venues for sports teams a good investment for cities and their taxpayers? Talk about it!